WPTF Afternoon News

Photo Credit: Nate SaundersAn a recent poll by U.S. News and World Report, Raleigh & Durham were labeled as the 3rd best place to live in the country! Local political commentator and school principal Scott Lassiter and Nate Saunders discussed the new ranking.

Photo Credit: Nate SaundersWhat has to be done to keep Wake County schools safe? Nate Saunders and Connections Academy Principal Scott Lassiter talked through what is being done to keep local students safe.

Photo Credit: Nate Saunders North Carolina's legislature passed an override of the governor's veto of legislation further restricting abortion in the state. Nate Saunders and local political commentator Scott Lassiter talked about the new legislation.

Photo Credit: Francie AnglesMay 16 is national Drawing Day! WPTF's Kristine Bellino sat down with her sister Heather to discuss her love and passion of visual art.

Photo Credit: Richard Lykes There's growing interest in Kickboxing in the Triangle -- as Nate Saunders found out when he talked to Richard Lykes, owner of ILoveKickboxing.com

There's a difference in how large raises will be in the state budget currently being debated at the General Assembly. Nate Saunders spoke with Ardis Watkins of the State Employees Association of North Carolina about their concerns.

Photo Credit: Kristine Bellino New stats show many of us are keeping our cars longer... and who better to talk about keeping cars longer than our own Studebaker Sultan of Slugisity, Mike Davis, who chatted with Nate Saunders of the WPTF Afternoon News about aging cars. They also discussed a new national issue as AM radio is being left off of many new cars.

Tourism numbers in Wake County are on the upswing. Nate Saunders found out more with Dennis Edwards with the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Photo credit: Charles Hadley Title 42 was lifted as the national COVID health emergency ended on May 11. Morrisville Town Councilman and political analyst Steve Rao and Nate Saunders discussed the thousands of people seeking asylum and immigration at the southern boarder.

Photo credit: Charles Hadley Donald Trump made another news interview appearance last week. Morrisville Town Councilman and political analyst Steve Rao discussed the CNN interview with Nate Saunders.

Raleigh and Wake County continue to face challenges that many urban areas face... and one of them is homelessness. Wake County Commissioner Vickie Adamson joined Nate Saunders and Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao to discuss the new Homelessness Task Force for the county.

Photo credit: Charles Hadley The technology industry is important in North Carolina. Steve Rao, Morrisville Town Councilman and political analyst, was there and talked with Nate Saunders about the state of tech jobs in the state.

In a rare event, some Red Wolves in the area have given birth to several pups! Ben Prater with Defenders of Wildlife spoke with Nate Saunders about the significance of the births.

As of today, the COVID-19 pandemic is over as a national emergency... but it won't totally go away. Dr. Adia Ross, Chief Medical Officer at Duke Regional Hospital, spoke with Nate Saunders and discussed the world's response to the pandemic and how we could learn from it.

It's getting to be travel season! Many North Carolinians are expected to take part this year and summer travel could be busy. Tiffany Wright, Director of Public Relations at AAA Carolinas, spoke with Nate Saunders about the action.

Consumer prices and inflation continue to rise... although not as much as they have been. As the country is still curious about the possibility of a recession, Mike Walden, Distinguished Professor and Economist at N.C. State University spoke with Nate Saunders about the economy.

Women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds who are at average risk for breast cancer should start getting regular mammograms at age 40, instead of treating it as an individual decision until they are 50, as previously recommended. That's according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Dr. Maggie Dinome of Duke University explained why the task force is making the recommendation with Nate Sau...

Photo Credit: Ken Huth Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead is hitting the airwaves. Well, sort of. The sheriff’s office announced Tuesday that a monthly podcast called “ Star Talk ” will be the sheriff’s latest tool to engage with the community. It comes on the heels of a conversation series called “Sheriff Speaks” which was held throughout 2022 inside some of Durham’s public libraries. Sherif...

Former congressman Mark Walker released a statement announcing a May 20th event in Kernersville. While it stops short of saying he's entering the race is does he will be announcing plans related to the election and adds that its is "essential for Republicans nominate a candidate who can withstand the scrutiny of a gubernatorial election." Western Carolina political science professor Chris Cooper j...

Photo Credit: Nate Saunders Lee County now is without a superintendent of schools. Scott Lassiter and Nate Saunders talk about the profession and why there is such a high turnover rate.

Photo Credit: Nate Saunders What is being done at Wake County Soil & Water Conservation District? Scott Lassiter and Nate Saunders discussed the work of a little known government department and looked at stories in the local news.

Snakes Alive! Nate Saunders talked with Talena Chavis with NC Snake Catcher about what to look out from when it comes to snakes.

Photo Credit: Nate Saunders The legendary Rialto Theatre, formerly Raleigh's oldest movie theatre prior to its closing last summer, is set to re-open later this Summer under new ownership. New owner Hayes Permar made the announcement on social media on Tuesday morning. Permar joined Nate Saunders in studio to discuss his new venture.

Prince Harry arrived at his father's coronation alone and he left alone. The disgruntled Duke of Sussex sat two rows behind his brother, Prince William, heir to the throne, in the pomp-filled ceremony Saturday at Westminster Abbey. The isolation was likely the result of quitting his royal duties and, thus, no longer ranking as a senior family member. Dr. Andy Taylor, a political science professor...

A jury has found Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996. Jurors awarded her $5 million. Jurors rejected Carroll’s claim that she was raped, but found Trump liable for sexual abuse and for defaming Carroll after she made her allegations public. Nate Saunders with reaction now from CBS Legal Consultant Thane Rosenbaum.